Record revealed
A plea for protection from Captain Jones’s raid
This document, held at The National Archives, contains a plea from the British town of Whitehaven. Sent during a raid on its port, this letter details the surprise attack carried out by the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War.
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This letter was sent by civic dignitaries from Whitehaven in Cumberland to the Earl of Suffolk.
Transcript
Whitehaven 23d April 1778
A letter from the principle inhabitants to the Earl of Suffolk, dated at Whitehaven [Cumberland]
My Lord
We beg leave to acquaint your Lordship that this Morning about Three o’Clock a large Privateer from America called the Ranger Commanded by one John Paul Jones mounting Eighteen Guns, six pounders landed Thirty Men in two Boats and set Fire to one of six Vessels in this Harbour which very providentially was soon got under by the Alarm being given to the Inhabitants; But as this Vessel has been Ten days in this Channel as appears by one of the Men now in Custody who left the Boats,
in the courses of whose Examination it appears that this Vessel was hired at Brest for the purpose, and was convey’d thro the Bay into the North Channel by a French Frigate of Thirty Eight Guns and the Vessel still hovering off this Port, and the Commander a desperate Fellow who served his Time in this Place,
We therefore pray your Lordship will be pleased to order such protection to this place as to your Lordship may seem meet.
We are your Lordships most Obedient Humble Servants
Saml Martin
Peter Gale
John Serjeant
Tho McArthy
Daniel ?Bayneo
William Grayson
Rich Parker
John Coupland
Isaac Stephenson
W Brownrigg
Heny Ellison
Rich Wordsworth Collr
Geo Hall Comp
Thomas Lutwidge
Saml ?Potter
John Hodgson
Thos ?Harrum
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Signatures in support of this letter also appear on the back of the document.
Transcript
Richard Fletcher
Isaac Shelsick
Joseph Mayson
Why this record matters
- Date
- 23 April 1778
- Catalogue reference
- SP 37/12/69
In this letter, found within the State Papers of King George III, officials desperately request protection following a surprise attack.
This was launched by the newly established American Continental Navy on Whitehaven, a port town in Cumbria, UK. It was sent to the Earl of Suffolk, Henry Howard, who was tasked with security of the northern counties as the Secretary of State for the Northern Department.
According to the letter this attack was carried out by ‘Men in two Boats’. The boats were launched from an American ship, the Ranger, under the renowned Continental Navy Commander John Paul Jones.
Captain Jones, a 30-year-old lowland Scot, had much experience at sea both as a merchant mariner and master. Three years before this attack, in 1775, he boarded a ship to Virginia and enlisted in the newly founded Continental Navy, where suitable ship’s officers were in great demand.
Jones would undertake notable engagements against the British Royal Navy after this attack. However, it was Jones’ earlier raid on Whitehaven that led to his notoriety amongst the British Government. He also became something of a celebrity with the public owing to his sheer daring and humane treatment of prisoners. Additionally, this raid gave him an international reputation and legacy as a founder of the United States Navy.
His assault on Whitehaven was not meant as a military invasion of the British mainland but a hit-and-run action. It aimed to cause as much damage as possible to a port Captain Jones knew well, having started his maritime career there as a 13-year-old apprentice. Jones knew that this port provided an opportunity for him to destroy more shipping in one night than the entire Continental Navy had taken in a year.
Although Jones had to deal with a deserter who attempted to warn the townsfolk of the attack, it was estimated that up to 250 vessels were destroyed. This was achieved by throwing a combustible candle onto a tar-soaked collier (a ship carrying coal) named the Thompson. Releasing all but three of his prisoners, Jones was allegedly the last to return to the Ranger once the raid was finished .
While the economic damage was of little significance – estimates run from £250 to £1,250 – the moral effect was staggering. This event left many wondering why the Royal Navy did not protect the English coasts. London newspapers criticised the defenceless state of the coastline, and the ‘inexcusable’ laxness of government.
This raid would be the first time that Captain Jones was heard of by the British public. It would, however, be far from the final report of him.
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